Category Archives: Plank

Core, Fitness, Plank, Running, Shoulders

Sometimes Technology Is Scary!

July 1, 2013 Kim 50 Comments

Today I did a move from Insanity Asylum for my 43. I used my super cool agility ladder

I like it more now that I'm not doing Insanity!! — I like it more now that I’m not doing Insanity!!

and did a moving plank with alternate shoulder taps. Down the length of the ladder and back = 1 rep. Before today, I had never done more than 6 in a row of these so 43 was brutal!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOasmK0Nquc’]

Besides the fact that I was in plank forever, I’m pretty sure I will have bruises on my shoulders from slapping them so many times!!! I don’t know why I thought that this would be a good 43 – it was fine for about 10 reps and then it was not fun anymore!!!

Now that we are back from our quick TX trip, I am back to teaching my early morning Boot Camps. Today we did a workout based on the idea of a WOD (from CrossFit) – except we did 7 different ones – for 5 minutes each! It was AWESOME!!! The 45 minutes went very quickly!

I decided to go for a run after boot camp because it was so nice out (about 62). This was probably the best run I’ve had in awhile!!! I was shooting for 8 minute miles – 3.5 miles in 28:10 (pretty close to pace!!) + 0.5 mile cool down. Considering that the entire run was full of hills, I feel good about this run – FINALLY!!!

I love lots of things about modern technology – iPhones, laptops, iPads, digital cameras, Skype, texting……

But, there are a few issues about all of the above that sort of bother me.

1. Visiting face-to-face is almost becoming a thing of the past. One of the best parts of my trip to TX was the time I spent just hanging out with my Poppa. I left my phone in my purse and just enjoyed the time with him without any distractions. It was AWESOME!!!

2. We are dependent on our phones!!I know that I’m not the only one who has left my house and then turned around to go back because I forgot my phone!!

3. We can interact with anyone anywhere at anytime. This is the thing that, while I enjoy all of my interactions with other bloggers all over the country (and a couple of other countries) – can be the most scary. The reason this scares me is that I’m not the only one in our family who has access to all of the modern technology and the ability to interact with others.

My boys play games (Minecraft!!!) either on the computer or the XBox and I guess there are chat/instant message boards that anyone else playing the game at the same time can join in and see.These little chat boards don’t bother me too much but hooking up with different people and skyping them – totally creeps me out. (not the face-time skype, just the messaging kind)

I told my boys that just because someone says they are a 15 year-old girl doesn’t mean they really are. And, when someone starts sending you creepy messages, it is never a good thing.

When I was their age, I knew the people that I went to school with and saw in person – that was it. Now, you can “know” lots of people that you will never see in person and that can be a good thing or a really scary thing!

Has anyone ever had a bad experience with a cyber “friend”?

Happy Monday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Plank, Shoulders, Triceps

Real Life vs. Online Life

May 31, 2013 Kim 24 Comments

Today’s 43 was a challenge – my favorite kind of 43!!! I got this move from Insanity Asylum (I’m a little obsessed with my new program!). The move is a hip raise – roll – plank.

I’m going to try and describe it but I’m afraid it might be a little confusing (good thing there is a demo!!). Start on the ground with your right leg extended and your right hand on the ground. Your left knee should be bent, foot on the ground. Push your hips up (using your right arm) and rotate to the right until you are in plank. While in plank, curl your right leg up. Rotate to the left until you are back to the starting position. Repeat (x43).

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhElDtXY6ZM’]

You can see that I did a little mini push-up while in the plank – just an extra bonus!!! And, Jordan helped me with the demo when he finally got up which was after I had already completed my 43 and sweaty workout so I was TIRED by the time we filmed this!!

Also, this was one of those super 43s where I did 2 sets because after I did all of them on my right side I had to switch and do 43 on my left. My triceps and shoulders were shaking and burning by the time I finished!!!

Today’s Insanity Asylum workout was by far the hardest one yet – Vertical Plyo! Like the name implies, there was a LOT of jumping!!! The 10 minute warm-up was brutal and then the workout – YIKES!!! Did I mention that there was a LOT of jumping?! This is the kind of workout that pretty much sucks while you’re doing it but after you are done you feel awesome!!!!

So lately I’ve read lots of the great recap posts about the Blend Retreat from a couple weeks ago. I know there are a lot of other neat events where bloggers meet each other, too.

Reading about some of these has caused me to start thinking about the differences between meeting people online (through blogs and other social media) and in person. Over the past few months, I have gotten to “know” some really amazing people through their blogs.

So far, I haven’t met any of my blogger friends in real life. Last night I was talking to Chris and I told him that I hope to eventually met some of them in person. What I really hope, though, is that when I meet my online friends for the first time – I’m the person they expected to meet!

Meaning that I hope no one thinks it is like the little Facebook cartoon above!!! I try to keep my blog real and be exactly the same in it that I am in real life!! Just like all of my wonderful pictures and videos – I don’t primp for them – cause I don’t fix myself up to workout!!!

I try to make most of my posts positive but some days (ummm…yesterday!) it just doesn’t happen cause life isn’t all roses for any of us!!! Over-all though, I love my life and am usually happy both on my blog, when I comment on other blogs and in real life!!!

So, I hope that at some point I get to meet a lot of y’all!! I even know some of the things I want to do with some of my blog friends: (see if you know who some of these might be)

ride scooters to the playground
get the best weight room experience of my life
run (so this one is almost everyone!!!)
go to the Mall of America

I could list more but I already sound like a creepy stalker!!!

What are your experiences meeting your blog friends for the first time? Were they exactly what you expected, better?

Happy Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Plank

Abdominal Training Epiphany!!!

March 22, 2013 Kim 12 Comments

My 43 today was nice – it was core work but also a semi-stretch!!! I used a stability ball to hold plank on my forearms.

From the start position, I just did a plank roll – I rolled forward on the ball (you have to hold your abs in tight here so that they don’t rest on the ball!)

pull the abs in - don't cheat! — pull the abs in – don’t cheat!

and then back on the ball for each rep.

The biggest challenge in this 43 was keeping my balance on the ball while staying in plank. I tried to keep my body level (feet a little wider helps!).

Today I did a Boot Camp workout for the rest of my workout. I used one of the 10 Minute Solution DVDs (love these) – Ultimate Boot Camp and did all 5 sections for a really great workout.

If you have never tried any of the 10 Minute Solution DVDs, I highly recommend them. They are great if you just have 20-30 minutes since you can do a couple of the sections. I also like them as a complete workout – all 5 sections.

The 5th (and final) section today was Six Pack Ab Attack. Because I was tired by that point I had to really focus on putting 100% into it. Then I started thinking about all of my ab/core work. It is at the end of my workout usually. I can’t think of a single workout DVD that I’ve done that has ab work at the beginning (or even during the middle) – always the end.

As I struggled (no other word today) through the ab training I decided that I’m going to try mixing up my ab work some and putting it at the beginning of a workout when I’m fresh! I did a little research about why abdominal work is usually at the end of the workout – the biggest reason seems to be the fact that so many exercises require you to use your core and if you have already trained your abs then you might not be able to perform the exercise safely.

But, I’m still planning to try and change it up some. I’m always exhausted by the time I really focus on my abs so I want to see if it makes a difference training them first.

Screen shot 2013-03-22 at 9.30.54 AM — not my abs – I WISH!!!

When do you work your abs/core – beginning or end of a workout?

Happy Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Plank, Shoulders, Treadmill

Fun Friday for Sure!!!

March 8, 2013 Kim 27 Comments

I used my treadmill again for my 43 today!! I took one of the moves that Charlotte (The Great Fitness Experiment) demonstrated on the treadmill and modified it to make it work on my treadmill.

The move is a walking plank (hands on the treadmill – feet on the floor or a box) with the treadmill at 1 mph. She did it off the back of the treadmill but I don’t have room behind mine so I did it in the reverse by going off the front of the treadmill!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np0DfvhyuZQ’]

(I don’t know why it is so dark – but you get the idea!!) I counted a right hand and left hand as 1 rep so I moved my hands 86 times to get the 43. And, just for fun, I did 2 sets!! Thanks for a great idea, Charlotte!!!

To protect my hands, I wore a pair of lifting gloves:

The rest of my work-out was…..big surprise….Les Mills Combat – Combat 45. Lots of jumping moves in this one!!!

Definitely Fun Friday today!!! The boys don’t have school (teacher work day), Chris is off, I’m having a mammogram and bone density scan (oh, wait – not sure that fits with the theme!!!) – It’s gonna be a great day!!!

And……..I PASSED!!!!! Once again, I’m an ACE certified personal trainer.

I know it’s blurry, but can you tell it says PASS?! I’m just happy that today I don’t have to study!!!

I’m off to let the fun begin!

Happy Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Plank, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

Too Busy for a Deployment – Thanks Anyway!!

March 4, 2013 Kim 25 Comments

For my 43 today I borrowed a move from Fitknitchick. On Friday, she had a really great circuit that she shared on her blog. I just took one of the moves from it and turned it into my 43.

The move is an elevated plank knee-in. You start in plank except your feet are on the wall. The higher your feet, the easier the move will be. I tried (key word being – tried!) to keep a level plank because you know I love a challenge! From that crazy position, you alternate bringing your knees in to your chest.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adPwOI7pVWA’]

I counted a right knee & a left knee as 1 rep. I’m not gonna lie – this was a HARD 43!!!

Then, I did a bit of Les Mills Combat – Combat 45. I know that the other day Combat 60 Live was my favorite but today this one is my fav!!! I love some of the jumping kicks in this one!!!

I decided to test my Achilles on the treadmill today! I ran 5 miles with 1.5% incline (6:15 pace) – with an easy mile after to cool down. I’m not hobbling right now so hopefully the week without running helped!!!

About the time I finished my run, Chris sent me a text about an upcoming deployment. I’m pretty used to this kind-of thing by now!! However, he said they need some crews.

Ummmm……HELLO!!! I’m running a 50 mile race and you are supposed to be the head of my road crew!! Then we have Jordan’s birthday and stuff…..Can you just tell them we are kind-of busy?? Nope!!

Deployments – what can I say?? The best part of a deployment?